Summary
A new study from the University of Oulu in Finland suggests human breasts may have evolved to help keep newborns warm. The research found that breastfeeding women have higher breast temperatures, which helps transfer heat to babies and reduce the risk of cold exposure. The study is early and suggests more research is needed to confirm this evolutionary role.
Key Facts
- Human breasts stay enlarged even before pregnancy or breastfeeding, unlike most other mammals.
- The study suggests breasts may help regulate a newborn's body temperature by providing warmth.
- Human infants struggle to maintain body temperature, making them vulnerable to cold.
- Researchers tested this theory using thermal imaging to measure breast surface temperatures.
- Breastfeeding women showed higher breast temperatures compared to non-breastfeeding women and men.
- The study found that breastfeeding women's breasts retained warmth better in cooler environments.
- The research offers a possible evolutionary explanation for the development of external breasts.
- The findings are preliminary, and further research is necessary to fully understand this function.
